SCHOOL BOARD TO DESIGN NEW DRESS CODE

That's one piece of a major dress code overhaul St. Lucie County public school students face next year.

When parents start shopping for their kids for the new school year, they also can forget tank tops, low-cut shirts and short skirts.

School Superintendent Michael Lannon wants everyone ready for major dress-code changes on all campuses beginning in August, a plan that could mean dramatic shifts at some sites but only slight alterations at others.

"This is one more layer for heightened expectations for excellence," Lannon said. "School dress is different than street dress or beach dress and we want to be able to focus on boys and girls becoming better students."

The St. Lucie County School Board on Tuesday is to hear a proposal to create a minimum dress code standard. For several weeks, top officials have been working through changes -- called Dress for Success -- at all grade levels.

Schools can make their policies more strict based on parent or administrative input, but the district wanted to provide a minimum standard, said Mary Krause, a district staff member working on the issue.

A preliminary plan shows middle and high schools will require collared shirts with sleeves that must be tucked in, and tops without low necklines, records show. Shorts and skirts must fall to the knee.

Flip-flops, a staple of Florida dress, are gone at all levels because of what Lannon called a safety violation: if students travel up and down stairs or need to quickly get to exits they could trip.

Other clothing items, which Lannon called "galluring" and possibly influenced by teenager favorites like MTV, also are gone. Cleavage cannot be visible. Underwear can't show. And kids must wear belts if pants have loops.

The proposal for elementary schools was not available last week but a review of individual school dress codes shows younger children already abide by a dress code, although some are stricter than others.

At some elementary schools, examples of acceptable outfits such as khaki jumpers, navy pants and collared polo shirts are on display.

Visits to high school campuses show fashion there takes a much different turn -- revealing clothes become the norm rather than the exception. Lannon expects some grumbling from teenagers about the change.

"The more mature the student, the more they're going to have their individuality come forward," Lannon said. "But I think they will appreciate having a parameter even if they might squawk about it."

Fort Pierce Central High Principal John Williams said students behave better on days when they dress up. Male athletes show improved decorum on game days when they wear shirts and ties.

Margot Susca can be reached at margot.susca@scripps.com

WHAT'S IN, WHAT'S OUT

Detailed plans for a dress code in St. Lucie County schools are scheduled to be released on Monday. Here are preliminary proposals for middle and high schools:

Collared shirts with sleeves; must be tucked in and not see-through

Pants must be worn above the hipbone and must not be frayed, torn, cut or have chains